A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Livorno vs. Lake Garda for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Livorno or Lake Garda?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Livorno or Lake Garda, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Livorno

Livorno is a waterfront, friendly, and down-to-earth port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a energetic, scenic, and playful lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Livorno and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Livorno or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lake Garda. Although Livorno and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Lake Garda has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lake Garda is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Livorno is known for its big city activities. Lake Garda is more touristy than Livorno and is known for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. It is also home to Sirmione. Livorno is popular for its large port and its great seafood.

How is Livorno different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lake Garda and Livorno. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Livorno or Lake Garda?

Lake Garda is a nice place to visit for its historical sights. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Livorno offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The waterfront promenade and New Venice are nice to explore. There's an aquarium in town as well as a fun central market.

Is the Food Better in Livorno or Lake Garda? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lake Garda is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lake Garda has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Livorno offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. As a port city, this is the place to try seafood. Many dishes include calamari, shrimp, or freshly caught fish. The city is less touristy than most in Italy, so even the food has an authentic and down-to-earth vibe.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Lake Garda is great for its evening party scene. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Many people head to Lake Garda for the nightlife scene. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Livorno. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship, and depart in the evening, but the city is large and for those that stay the night, there are a number of bars and clubs around town.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is great for the beach. However, Livorno is not a good destination for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Livorno is a good spot to see the beach. The beaches are pebbly or rocky, so you won't really find a long stretch of sandy beach where you can relax. They can also stay very crowded.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda is great for hiking. However, Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda for the hiking trails. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Livorno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Livorno or Lake Garda?

If you're looking to go shopping, Livorno and Lake Garda both offer plenty of good spots.

Livorno has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The main shopping street in town is Via Grande. It's generally filled with major chain stores and familiar brands.

Lake Garda is a great destination for shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

Livorno is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a nice aquarium as well as outdoor recreational activities like cycling and boating. There's a beach and parks where kids can stretch their legs and run around as well.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Lake Garda is great for couples. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Lake Garda is a great lake if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Livorno is a nice destination for couples. There are some nice museums as well as parks and boat rides that couples can enjoy. There's also an aquarium and a beach.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lake Garda is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Livorno is not a good destination for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Livorno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers skip this city, so you won't find many hostels around town. It's a relatively affordable place to stay with some fun entertainment options if you do pass through.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake Garda is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its public transit.

The public transit in Lake Garda can get you to most places easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

Livorno has a few public transit options. There are buses around town including lines that run from the central train station to the port.

Is Livorno or Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Lake Garda is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Livorno is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

Lake Garda is a very walkable destination. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

Livorno is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but if you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll want to take a shuttle bus from the port.

For even more information, also check out Is Livorno Worth Visiting? and Is Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Livorno?

How long in Livorno or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Livorno or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Livorno, and 2-4 days is enough time in Lake Garda.

Families should spend more time in Lake Garda than Livorno. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lake Garda, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lake Garda than Livorno. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lake Garda that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda than Livorno if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lake Garda.

One day in Livorno or Lake Garda?

With shopping and nightlife around the waterfront port city of Livorno, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Livorno, one day is sufficent for most.

In Lake Garda, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This lake offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Livorno or Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Livorno, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

In Lake Garda, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lake Garda has to offer.

Five days in Livorno or Lake Garda?

Livorno, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Livorno or Lake Garda?

Livorno is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lake Garda. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lake Garda. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Livorno and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. And not only is Livorno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Livorno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Livorno and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Lake Garda would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Garda than you might in Livorno.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Livorno Expensive? and Is Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Livorno or Lake Garda?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Livorno or Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Livorno and Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Livorno in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Livorno is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Livorno average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Livorno, it's very sunny this time of the year. Livorno usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Livorno gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Livorno usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Livorno or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Livorno as well as Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Livorno for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Livorno is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Livorno averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Livorno often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Livorno receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Livorno usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Livorno or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Livorno are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Livorno because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. In the winter, Livorno is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Livorno in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Livorno usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda during winter. Livorno gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Livorno usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Livorno or Lake Garda in the Spring?

Both Lake Garda and Livorno during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Livorno this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Livorno is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Livorno average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Livorno often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Livorno usually gets more rain in April than Lake Garda. Livorno gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Livorno